Edith Macfarlane
{{Short description|New Zealand community worker (1871–1948)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Edith Macfarlane
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|OBE|size=100%}}
| image = EdithMaryMacfarlane1918.png
| alt = Photograph of a white woman wearing a dark hat; from a 1918 newspaper.
| caption = Macfarlane, from a 1918 newspaper
| birth_name = Edith Mary Durrieu
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1871|05|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = Torquay, Devon, England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1948|12|02|1871|05|20|df=y}}
| death_place = Auckland, New Zealand
}}
Edith Mary Macfarlane {{post-nominals|country=NZL|OBE|size=85%}} ({{nee|Durrieu}}; 20 May 1871 – 2 December 1948) was a New Zealand community worker, active with the British Red Cross Society during both World Wars, and with the Victoria League in Auckland.
Early life
Edith Mary Durrieu was born in Torquay, Devonshire, England, on 20 May 1871, the daughter of accountant Louis Adolphus Durrieu and the former Marianne Feltham. The Durrieu family moved to New Zealand when Edith was a small child.Kathleen Anderson, [http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3m7/macfarlane-edith-mary "Edith Mary Macfarlane"] in Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (1996). She attended Auckland Girls' High School.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18841215.2.25?items_per_page=10&page=2&query=Edith+Durrieu&snippet=true|title=Girls' High School; Presentation of Certificates|date=15 December 1884|work=Auckland Star|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=2|via=Papers Past}}
Community work
During World War I, Macfarlane organized the New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross Society and the Auckland Women's Patriotic League.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19330412.2.6.4?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Ever-Ready Committee; Birthday Celebrations|date=12 April 1933|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=4|via=Papers Past}} She also organized a 1917 concert for sailors in Wellington, with the Sailors' Friend Society,{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19170525.2.94?items_per_page=10&page=5&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Sailors' Friend Society|date=25 May 1917|work=Evening Post|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=9|via=Papers Past}} and was active in the Women's Patriotic League.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19300510.2.175.3?items_per_page=10&page=6&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Prominent Auckland Women: Mrs. J. B. Macfarlan, O. B. E.|date=10 May 1930|work=Auckland Star|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=14|via=Papers Past}} Her contributions during the first World War were recognised when she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in October 1918.[https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19181005.2.36 "For Patriotic Services; Sixty-Seven Appointments"] Auckland Star (5 October 1918).{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNCH19181005.2.22?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=Edith+Mary+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=British Empire Order; New Zealand Recipients|date=5 October 1918|work=Sun|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=6|via=Papers Past}}
Between the wars she was active with the Auckland branch of the Victoria League. She organized the league's Sewing Circle,{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19310408.2.157.4?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Victoria League|date=8 April 1931|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=14|via=Papers Past}} and became the branch's president in 1937.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19481204.2.103?items_per_page=10&page=23&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=£1944 RAISED IN HEALTH STAMP SALES|date=4 December 1948|work=Northern Advocate|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=7|via=Papers Past}}{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19381107.2.153.4.1?items_per_page=10&page=2&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Presidents of their respective centres|date=7 November 1938|work=Evening Post|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=14|via=Papers Past}} She continued in this role until her death a decade later. Under Macfarlane's leadership, the league visited hospitals,{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19381221.2.8.2?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Victoria League; The Young Contingent|date=21 December 1938|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=5|via=Papers Past}} held patriotic ceremonies,{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19380526.2.110?items_per_page=10&page=3&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Empire Day Wreaths|date=26 May 1938|work=Auckland Star|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=10|via=PapersPast}} honored volunteers,{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19421211.2.104?items_per_page=10&page=4&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Red Cross Shop|date=11 December 1942|work=Auckland Star|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=5|via=Papers Past}}{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19380404.2.5.6?items_per_page=10&page=5&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Toc H Movement; Part Played by Women|date=4 April 1938|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=3|via=Papers Past}} and sent parcels of food and clothing to Great Britain, during the Great Depression and World War II.
Macfarlane remained active with the Red Cross Society between the wars.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19360812.2.123?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Red Cross Society|date=12 August 1936|work=Auckland Star|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=11|via=Papers Past}} She was also president of the St. James' Free Kindergarten{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19140420.2.120?items_per_page=10&page=9&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Kindergarten Fete|date=20 April 1914|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=9|via=Papers Past}} and chair of the ladies auxiliary of the Community Sunshine Association.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19340307.2.205.12?items_per_page=10&page=3&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Community Sunshine|date=7 March 1934|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=16|via=Papers Past}} She visited Alaska and Canada in 1927.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19270915.2.7.6?items_per_page=10&page=12&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Victoria League|date=15 September 1927|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=5|via=Papers Past}}
Personal life
Edith Mary Durrieu married Scottish-born businessman James Buchanan Macfarlane in 1890, in Auckland.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18900924.2.38?items_per_page=10&query=Edith+Durrieu&snippet=true|title=Marriages|date=24 September 1890|work=Auckland Star|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=8|via=Papers Past}} They had six children together. Their eldest son, James Blyth Macfarlane, was wounded at Gallipoli in 1915. Their Epsom home on Gillies Avenue was used for social gatherings,{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19151204.2.87.1?items_per_page=10&page=2&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Untitled news item|date=4 December 1915|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=9|via=Papers Past}}{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19260702.2.9.2?items_per_page=10&page=11&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Book-Title Tea|date=2 July 1926|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=7|via=Papers Past}} and known for its extravagant wisteria plant.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19361009.2.25.1?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Popular Garden Creeper now in Bloom|date=October 9, 1936|work=New Zealand Herald|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=8|via=Papers Past}} She was widowed in 1939 and died at home in 1948, aged 77 years. She left £100 to the Victoria League of Auckland in her will.{{Cite news|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19481218.2.35?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=Edith+Mary+Macfarlane&snippet=true|title=Public Bequests by Northlanders|date=December 18, 1948|work=Northern Advocate|access-date=March 1, 2020|page=5|via=Papers Past}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?BU=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aucklandcity.govt.nz%2Fdbtw-wpd%2FHeritageImages%2Findex.htm&AC=QBE_QUERY&TN=heritageimages&QF0=ID&NP=2&MR=5&RF=HIORecordSearch&QI0=%3D%22AWNS-19181031-32-4%22 A 1918 photograph of Edith Mary Macfarlane], from the Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries
- [https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19410319.2.134.4.1?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=Mrs.+J.+B.+Macfarlane&snippet=true A 1941 photograph of Edith Mary Macfarlane], from the New Zealand Herald, at PapersPast.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Macfarlane, Edith}}
Category:English emigrants to New Zealand
Category:People educated at Auckland Girls' Grammar School
Category:New Zealand social workers